US soldier killed in attack on base in Iraq

BAGHDAD - Insurgents attacked a main US-Iraqi base yesterday in the northern city of Mosul, killing one American soldier and striking directly at the Iraqi command center for an offensive against the militants.

The barrage underscored the resilience of Al Qaeda in Iraq and other groups after repeated attempts to break their hold in Mosul, a dangerous city where at least seven US soldiers have been killed since early February.

With the US combat role in Iraq set to end in August 2010, Mosul represents one of the key remaining showdowns with insurgents. American military planners have backed up Iraqi forces in the crackdown launched last month.

The rocket attack hit Forward Operating Base Diamondback in southern Mosul, the US military said.

Iraqi police, however, described the attack as mortar strikes. The site includes the Iraqi security command for the entire province. The last mortar barrage on the site was nearly two months ago.